WITF Public Media and Collaborators Launch PA Post

New accountability journalism platform to inform and engage citizens on state policy and issues

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvanians, all 12.8 million of them, now have a statewide non-profit, non-partisan, digital-first source for news about Pennsylvania state policies and issues that affect them.

WITF Public Media, based in Pennsylvania’s state capital of Harrisburg, in collaboration with ten public and commercial media partners and affiliates has launched PA Post. The mission of the new media organization is to connect Pennsylvanians to their state, empower them to participate in the governing process, and hold state government accountable to its citizens.

“Pennsylvania’s state budget continues to rise, but the number of journalists assigned by news organizations to cover state spending continues to fall,” said WITF President and CEO Kathleen Pavelko. “Self-governing requires quality journalism to monitor the institutions of government and hold elected officials to account. PA Post is serving Pennsylvanian’s citizenry by filling the gap in this vital journalistic role. And it is doing so using a highly collaborative model involving other quality news organizations throughout our Commonwealth.”

As a collaborative news organization, PA Post is both a destination for, and a distributor of, Pennsylvania statehouse news. It is independently gathering news and reporting it on its own media platforms and delivering news through partner media outlets throughout the state. It also is collaborating with other public and commercial media organizations on in-depth reporting projects and is distributing their content on PAPost.org. PA Post’s list of media partners and affiliates continues to grow.

As a digital-first news organization, PA Post is placing an emphasis on serving news stories and related content on digital platforms where citizens increasingly consume news – on their mobile phones, in their email boxes and in their social feeds. In addition to PAPost.org, PA Post digital products include The Context, a free weekday curated e-newsletter; State of the State, a weekly podcast; and social media, video and infographic content.

PA Post also is fully involving readers and listeners in the news reporting process.

“The traditional news media model is generally a one-way process, whereby news is gathered and news is reported,” Pavelko said. “PA Post is approaching news differently. We are continuously gathering citizen input online and in-person into what subjects to cover. We are soliciting questions our stories need to answer. We will be hosting gatherings and events in cities and towns throughout the state to engage citizens in two-way conversation.”

PA Post media partners and affiliates include: Pennlive.com and The Patriot-News in Harrisburg; PublicSource in Pittsburgh; WHYY in Philadelphia; PBS39 and WDIY in the Lehigh Valley; WPSU from Penn State University; WQED in Pittsburgh; WQLN in Erie; WSKG in Binghamton, NY; and WVIA in northeastern Pennsylvania.

PA Post also is a partner of Spotlight PA, a collaborative investigative and data-focused newsroom that will combine and enhance the statehouse reporting resources of The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the LNP Media Group (Lancaster, Pa.). Spotlight PA is supported by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, a Philadelphia-based non-profit dedicated to developing and supporting sustainable business models for local journalism.

PA Post is supported by individual donations, corporate underwriting, and topic-focused and place-based foundation contributions. Initial funding for PA Post comes from the Wyncote Foundation, the Philadelphia Foundation, the Kinsley Family Foundation, the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and more than a dozen individuals.

“Our donors and underwriters recognize the essential role of nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism in our democracy and the importance of empowering citizens with information to engage in civic life,” Pavelko said. “Donors and underwriters have no influence on reporting or editorial decisions and PA Post is committed to full transparency. All gifts and contributions are fully disclosed on our website.”

Individuals interested in supporting PA Post can make donations online. Philanthropic organizations interested in learning more may contact PA Post at (717) 910-2801.

About PA Post

PA Post is a statewide, non-profit, non-partisan, digital-first news organization that reports on – and engages citizens in – public policy and issues that impact all Pennsylvanians. The mission of PA Post is to connect Pennsylvanians to their state, and each other, with accountability journalism and deep-dive reporting. PA Post was launched by WITF Public Media, a non-profit media organization with more than 50 years of experience covering Pennsylvania’s legislature, state agencies and state issues. PA Post products include The Context, a free weekday curated e-newsletter, and State of the State, a weekly podcast. For Pennsylvania state news and more information about PA Post, visit PAPost.org.

About WITF

WITF Public Media is a trusted provider of public media news and programming for approximately 2.3 million citizens in 19 counties of south central Pennsylvania. WITF’s media services include public television (WITF-TV), two public radio services (WITF 89.5 and WYPM 93.3 Chambersburg), websites (including WITF.org and ExplorePAhistory.com), statewide radio networks for public and commercial stations (Pennsylvania Public Radio and Radio PA), and a production services division (Media Solutions). For more information, visit WITF.org.